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Quote by Kamila Shamsie

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Kamila Shamsie
Kamila Shamsie

Kamila Shamsie is a renowned Pakistani novelist whose contemporary fiction has garnered international acclaim. Born in 1973, she is recognized for her insightful narratives that delve into themes of identity, politics, and cultural conflict in the modern world. more

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“Rosemary cornmeal doughnuts with a lemon glaze, and cornbread tartlets with ricotta and heirloom tomatoes." He set the platter on the table, and Charlotte and Zoey leaned forward to stare. The tartlets were small and perfectly round, with scalloped edges like the hems of Sunday dresses. Purple-tinged tomatoes were fanned on top, obviously cut by someone with seriously good knife skills. The doughnuts appeared to still be warm from the oven, the glaze dripping off them onto the platter. The green scent of rosemary and the sharp scent of lemon made Charlotte picture a long, sandy road. There was an old woman cooking in a summer kitchen somewhere down that road. Home.”

“I know how it feels to be someplace you no longer belong, or to no longer be in the place you do belong, because that place has ceased to exist. I know what it’s like to be robbed of your foundation walls, how difficult it becomes to stand firm or stand at all, to provide others with protection. It’s impossible to imagine; it must be experienced, although best avoided. I wouldn’t wish it upon anyone.”

“DWAAL, noun, a dreamy, dazed, or absent-minded state. "In that space of peaceful serenity, I finally understood that home is where you heart feels free. A place far removed from any physical barriers or constraints. Home is a space where you feel alive. You feel like dancing. A dance called dwaal – meaning to wander into the uncharted waters of our stories unexplored and underrepresented chapters" (All Roads Lead to Cape Town, a novel about the birthplace of our togetherness and amazing words like 'dwaal' -- side note, born in Bloemfontein, South Africa, J.R.R. Tolkien described this word through his own unique perspective when he said: 'Not all who wander are lost'.”

“The stairs lead directly into the sitting room: sanded wooden floor, comfortable faded sofa, large flat-screen TV, books covering every available surface. Archaeology books mostly but also murder mysteries, cookery books, travel guides, doctor-nurse romances. Ruth is nothing if not eclectic in her tastes. She has a particular fondness for children’s books about ballet or horse-riding, neither of which she has ever tried. The kitchen barely has room for a fridge and a cooker but Ruth, despite the books, rarely cooks.”